I’ve never been a sound sleeper. For many years, I figured most bright people stayed awake thinking about stuff that had just happened or things that may be coming their way tomorrow. What a shock to learn that hours of continuous, deep sleep are actually considered healthy. …
Life is formed as we make an endless number of choices every day. Some choices are recognized for being huge in the moment, like deciding to marry a specific person or taking a job in a city far away. Other choices are much more subtle and may even go unnoticed in the …
All over the place, I see signs that read, “We’re hiring.” Often, a signing bonus is offered for anyone who accepts a position. At the same time, I’ve noticed many small businesses needing to reduce their hours or even close for a day or two because of an employee shortage. …
I’m on the free-throw line with five seconds to go in the big game against Saint Patrick’s. Saint Cecilia’s eighth grade team trails by a single point. It’s all up to me. I look up at the stands, where there are at least a dozen fans rooting me on. I spot my mother, …
If you want a practice run on your level of patience, I advise you to make a quick dash from Midway Airport in Chicago to Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. I did so this weekend, thinking my 647-mile trip would provide an enjoyable 10 hours of bringing back the memories of my …
My friend Ray Bard sent me a wonderful little book of his. It’s called Fired Up! Selling: Great Quotes to Inspire, Energize, Succeed. Over the years, I’ve looked through dozens of books made up of famous quotes. This one is different in a number of ways. First of all, the …
At my age, you’d think I’d be smarter in a lot of ways. After all, years represent experience and experience should convert to wisdom. It hasn’t worked that way for me in all matters. I keep thinking people will automatically think the same way I do – that they will see and …
I’ve been spending too much time at the Riesen House Saloon in Gold Hill. It’s a drinking spot for out-of-luck miners and a few political hacks who come up from Carson City. One of those guys is Orion, who wears fancy boots and an oversized cowboy hat and claims he’s the big …
Running a successful company for 33 years required a bunch of stuff coming together. When strangers ask me how it happened, I smile and give a vague and easy answer: “Good luck and great employees.” That’s an okay answer if I just want to move on quickly to catch a plane …
My dear mother, Irene, thought it would be a great idea to give me a confirmation name. She chose Francis after the famous Saint Francis of Assisi, the guy who is always pictured feeding birds by hand while squirrels play around his feet. I was 14 when my friends started …
